Super Bowl XLV Guarantee: The Team with Yellow Pants Will Win

Yes, the color of both teams’ pants  is yellow. I don’t care if they call yellow, gold.   The New Orleans Saints wear gold.

At least it is not Oregon Duck bright yellow.  The Green Bay Packers’ shade is close to mustard yellow.

I like both uniforms, especially the helmets, symbolizing an NFL consistency of two storied franchises over several decades.

So the “G” on the Packers helmet stands for “Greatness” and not “Green Bay?”

The Steelers are so focused on football, they only have time for a helmet emblem on one side.

In this matchup between two storied franchises, the Steelers will be seeking their record seventh Super Bowl win, and the Packers their fourth.

Throw out the one time when quarterback Neil O’Donnell was involved, and the Steelers are 6-0 in the NFL championship game.

Of all Super Bowls, this year’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, offers no obvious logical and definitive selection to win the game.

There is no favorite and there is no underdog.

We can develop many cases and reasons why each team will win.

If I’m not mistaken, technically, the Packers are 2 1/2 point favorites to win.

If I’m not mistaken, the Steelers won the “official” Madden NFL 11 version and prediction of Super Bowl XLV.

I hear talk about the Steelers’ being much more Super Bowl-experienced.

That may matter in terms of ordering tickets for family and friends and dealing with the distractions at the Super Bow site.

Maybe, the more inexperienced team has more pregame jitters – or maybe not.

That is also not a relevant factor.

After the kickoff and a couple of hard hits, throw Super Bowl experience out the window.

Didn’t we just witness this a year ago when the New Orleans Saints “upset” the Indianapolis Colts.

Remember when the New England Patriots went “18 and oh-oh” were defeated by the New York Giants?

**it happens.

That is why they play the game.

This Super Bowl is unique and different for me – there is no very logical favorite to pick.

Will the Steelers win ring No. 7 out of 8 visits or will the Packers bring home the trophy named after their legendary coach, giving them 4 rings out of 5 trips?

With the ice storm and snow in Dallas this week, if the Packers prevail, will their fans call this game “Ice Bowl II?”

I doubt it, but I like the joke. 

WTF?  Did the Dallas area local governments spread sand, which improves traction, rather than salt,  which lowers water’s freezing point so it stays liquid longer?

Even in the great state of North Carolina, salt is used to pretreat highways and roads before a snow or ice storm arrives.

On the serious side, I pray that the people injured from the falling ice from the dome are feeling well and recover a.s.a.p.

I heard on sports talk radio that this ice storm has cost the Dallas area a little over $100 million  of their expected revenue from the Super Bowl.

You know – cancelled golf events, less shopping at malls, cancelled air flights, etc.

Thankfully, this weather should have no effect on the game itself.

Green Bay's offense is led by 6'2", 225 lb. QB Aaron Rodgers, who is both very accurate and reasonably mobile in the pocket.   He is protected by a solid offensive line and has several talented receivers to throw to.

The Packers run game is a little suspect, but rookie James Starks has gotten the job done when they have called his number throughout the playoffs.

Defense is where the Packers really shine, and their aggressive shut-down cornerbacks allow the LBs and defensive line to really focus on stopping the run and getting to the opposing quarterback.

A lot of credit for the Packer's success this season has goes to head coach Mike McCarthy.  Mike McCarthy a tough task  because the Packers placed 15 players on injured reserve this season. FIFTEEN!

The Steelers are led on offense by Big Ben Roethlisberger, at 6'5" and 245 lbs.  

Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games this year, but his numbers were very impressive in the last 12 regular season games, where he threw 17 TDs and had only 5 interceptions.

Coach Mike Tomlin hopes that Big Ben does not have to throw the ball too much, as the Steelers offensive game plan is  run first, pass second.

The Steelers are a little thin at WR, but they have a solid offensive line and a big, bruising running back in Rashard Mendenhall.

Both defenses are so very similar with 3-4 schemes and with players who can rush the quarterback, make solid open field tackles, and cover wide receivers tightly.

The fact that Ben Roethlisberger consistently find ways  to help his team win, along with my opinion that the Steelers have the league’s best defense, tilts this matchup towards Pittsburgh.

However, I have the upmost respect for the Packers defense as well.  They are the main reason Green Bay beat the Bears for the NFC Title.

Perhaps the Steeler’s secondary is more vulnerable.

I expect the Packers’ offense to spread their attack out with 4 and 5 wide receiver sets.

After two weeks of studying game tape and preparation, I expect Green Bay’s quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to read the Steel Curtain’s zone blitz and make accurate passes in the climate-controlled environment of the dome (the roof will be closed) in Dallas.

When Rodgers took a helmet to helmet shot from Julius Peppers in the NFC Championship Game, he was not the same.

If James Harrison or one of the other Pittsburgh defenders get to him and he takes a helmet or forearm in the helmet, it would change the game and Pittsburgh would gain advantage.

If Rodgers has time, he produces points – advantage Green Bay.

The Steelers will have a tough time matching up against Rodgers and the Packers’ rotation of receivers, but they have played teams better in every other phase of the game and came out ahead.

The Packers, in contrast, have not seen an opponent in the playoffs with as good a front seven as Pittsburgh’s, with all due respect to the Chicago Bears defensive front seven.

If they can manage to get pressure on Rodgers and hurry him more than they had on any other team these playoffs, the Steelers will have a good chance to end some Packers drives very quickly, and give the ball back to Roethlisberger and their methodical offense.

The Steelers almost always find a way to win a Super Bowl.  They are the most successful NFL franchise in the Super Bowl era.

A Pittsburgh victory would give Mike Tomlin, only the third Steelers’ coach since 1969,  two titles in his first four seasons as head coach, tying Joe Gibbs' achievement with the Washington Redskins.

Does a third Super Bowl trophy in six years make this Pittsburgh team a dynasty?

It does not matter and the Steelers do not care.  They just want to win.

But are the Packers a team “more hungry” for this particular win?

This game is almost a perfect matchup.

Roethlisberger has a veteran advantage, having won two Super Bowls in the past.

However, Rodgers is sure to utilize his skills as a long passer to pick apart the Steelers’ defense.

It will likely be both a close, hard-hitting battle with the Steelers showing how they can run the ball and the Packers showing how they can throw the ball.

This game is so complex and difficult to prognostic due to unexpected surprises and developments in this game – including turnovers, field position, significant special teams plays, penalties, and other referee decisions (spotting the ball, reviews, etc.).

I like and respect both teams.  Both have great NFL traditions and legends.

Both franchises have excellent fans, although the Steeler Nation travels better.

I’m rooting for the Steelers, but a Packers victory would also be great to witness.

Don’t you just love wacky, creative predictions for the Super Bowl?

Cody, a coati, at the Fort Worth Zoo picks a Green Bay Packers football over a Pittsburgh Steelers football as he picked the Super Bowl champion at the Fort Worth, Texas, on January 25, 2011.

The footballs were filled with night crawlers, grapes and berries, but the coati, a Texas native, only picked the treats from the NFC team.

One New York marketing firm projects the Steelers a heavy favorite based on a higher number of web searches for team merchandise, a method it says has held true the last two years.

Regardless of any prognostications and predictions,  I can guarantee that the team with yellow/gold pants will win.

That is my lock of the week.

Enjoy the game!

Are you ready for some football?

The Super Bowl XLV Teams Will Be…….

 

Super Bowl XLV, or 45 for those of us who may be Roman numeral deficient, will be held in North Texas at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in approximately two weeks,

The two Super Bowl XLV teams will be the two winners of Sunday’s conference championship contests.

Each winner will be the team who scores the most points.

Oh, duh!

Both games, potential tossups, can easily go either way.

By experience, logic, and talent, Pittsburgh appears to be in position again to add to their stuffed Super Bowl trophy case.

The Steelers have been there and done that over and over.

For a record 15th time since 1970, Pittsburgh will play in the AFC Championship Game.  However, the Steelers are a mediocre 7-7 in their conference title contests.

It also marks the Steelers' 28th home playoff game, the most among all teams in the Super Bowl era (since 1966), surpassing the Dallas Cowboys (27).

With a win, the Steelers will tie the Dallas Cowboys (33) for the most postseason wins in NFL history.

A victory would also give Pittsburgh its 20th home playoff victory, breaking a tie with Dallas and Oakland (19) for the most such wins all-time.

Many prognosticators, include yours-truly did not envision the New York Jets defeating (not upsetting – it was really not an upset in retrospect) the almighty New England Patriots.

The Jets earned my respect, but did they earn my pick this week?

To quote Bart Scott: “CAN’T WAIT!”

But unlike Scott’s assessment of the New England Patriots’ defense, the Steelers’ Steel Curtain can “stop a nosebleed” and much, much more.

NYJ has earned their way to the AFC Championship game for the second consecutive season. What an awesome start by Coach Rex Ryan and sophomore quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Let’s explore a most interesting “factoid.”

Matt Ryan,  Aaron Rodgers,  Matt Cassel, Carson Palmer, Matt Schaub, Jay Cutler, Tony Romo, Josh Freeman, Alex Smith, Matthew Stafford, and  Sam Bradford.

There is a significant range of talent, experience,  and production among this group of NFL quarterbacks.

But would you believe that the Jets' Mark Sanchez now has as many playoff victories as those other quarterbacks combined?

There are not that many quarterbacks in the modern day NFL who have led their clubs to the conference championship game in their first two seasons.

One of the most notable  exceptions, of course, is Ben Roethlisberger, who happens to be the opposing quarterback in this game.

Ryan has developed defensive schemes to defeat Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in consecutive week – a remarkable accomplishment.

However, Ben Roethlisberger is a different kind of quarterback: big, strong, and very apt at extending plays and creating plays outside of the pocket. finding ways to win.

The last time they met Troy Polamalu didn’t play and that was the difference maker for that Jets victory.

When Polamalu is in, the Steelers are a signicantly improved different team.  It is rare to observe a defensive player who is so great, his performance assists the offense as well as the defense.

Ploamalu will play Sunday and the Jets Super Bowl hopes may end in Pittsburgh.

Then again – maybe not.  “Can’t wait!”

Could we really ask for a better NFC Championship match up?

Green Bay Packers at the Chicago Bears, the longest standing rivalry in the NFL, face off for a berth in the Super Bowl.

In the nearly 90 years these two have been rivals, the Bears hold the edge in the series with an all-time record of 92-83-6.

Remarkably,  despite the longevity of these franchises, they have only met once in the playoffs.

Exactly one week after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Bears defeated the Packers 33-14.

Almost 70 years later, I expect this matchup to be closer.

How historical are these franchises? The NFC champion receives the George Halas trophy (named for the legendary Bears owner) and moves on to the Super Bowl, where the winner will hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy (named for the legendary Packers coach).

Despite all of their injuries, the Green Bay Packers have earned their reputation as the NFC trendy pick to participate in the Super Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers is currently the hottest and highest performing quarterback in this current post season.

Ironically, the Bear’s sloppy field may slow down their defenders’ pass rush and buy the Packers quarterback, Rodgers, more time to throw.

The Untouchables? Time will tell.

This just in: Green Bay’s defense isn’t that bad either.

Speaking of great defenses, the Chicago Bears, not the Jets,  have emerged as the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL – they get no respect.

The NFC’s #6 seed, the Packers, are approximately three-point favorites to defeat their hated NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears, who are hosting this historic, instant classic at home as the conference’s #2 seed.

The Bears have the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense and second-best rushing defense.

Chicago won their division. Nevertheless,  the Bears are  underdogs on their manicured, sloppy home turf against the team they edged for the NFC North crown.

It is difficult for me to accurately gage and pick this game, as their playoff opponents – the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks, respectively, were not exactly at their best and forgot to bring their A-games.

Aaron Rodgers is better than Jay Cutler, at least by a touch pass.

Who will get more sacks – Clay Matthews or Julius Peppers?

I will go along with the “experts” and select Green Bay to defeat Chicago, 23-20.

I also cannot go against the Steelers at home – and why not – also by a 23-20  final score over the Jets.

Speaking of forecasts, Pittsburgh's game-day forecast is a high of 19, a low of 9,  and Chicago's game-day forecast is a high of 23, a low of 18 with a chance of snow.

NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview: The Agony of De-Feet

 

Welcome to the best weekend of quality NFL football!

To paraphrase Wes Welker, you have to be on your toes and put your best foot forward in the one loss/you’re done NFL post season tournament.

Each divisional round matchup is a rematch of a regular season game. 

The AFC has two trilogies, as the Steelers-Ravens and Jets-Patriots play for the third time.

In the NFC, the Falcons-Packers and Bears-Seahawks will play for a second time.

This weekend’s NFL playoffs offer a menu of intriguing matchups.  For me, the best two matchups are the Saturday Games. They are both tossups, so flip the coin!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The NFC North Trilogy: Defense Rules – 4:30 P.M., CBS

The Ravens-Steelers rivalry is without a doubt the best matchups in the NFL because of the frequent, hard physical hits on the field and the animosity between the two teams.

Based on the number of wins, Pittsburgh appears to have “dominated” their series with Baltimore.  However, in 17 meetings since 2003, the teams have each scored 302 points.

They split this season’s series, with each road team winning. Now game three to compete the trilogy.

If quarterback play will decide today’s game, then this factor tilts towards Ben Roethlisberger and his Pittsburgh Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has a short history of having playoff jitters when facing a top NFL defense in post season. 

However, in addition to his solid running attack, Flacco’s wide receiver group was upgraded this season, with Anquan Boldin as the major force.

This post season may one of  Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis’  final opportunities to win another Super Bowl.

My logic says that the Ravens are overdue to defeat the Steelers in the playoffs.  My logic is not always correct.

Big Ben is a Super Bowl ring collector.

The playoff game is being played in Pittsburgh, where the Ravens are 2-9, including the 2009 AFC title game. 

Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 16

The NFC Rematch: The Best Game of the Weekend – 8:00 P.M., Fox

The winner of this game probably goes to the Super Bowl, with all due respect to the Chicago Bears.

This is the most difficult game of the weekend for me to pick.  The Green Bay Packers are the trendy pick.

A meaningless statistic: Falcons have beaten the Packers in four of six previous meanings.

A meaningful play: A big kickoff return by Eric Weems helped set the Falcons up for the winning field goal in a 20-17 Week 12 victory.

Special teams may develop to become the difference in the outcome again today.

Did you know that both quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan ended the season tied in the number of touchdown passes at 28?

I give the Packers the edge in passing offense but the Falcons have the advantage in a rushing offense and therefore, a balanced attack.

Green Bay also has the edge in terms of this season’s defensive statistics.

The Packers arrive in Atlanta with a lot of confidence after a dominating victory in Philadelphia over the Eagles.

The Falcons are healthy, rested after a bye week, and have a home-dome advantage, especially for a night-time playoff game.

If Jon Abraham can knock Aaron Rodgers early and often and if the Falcons and jump start off with a big, early lead, Atlanta will win.

If the Packers defense forces the Falcons offense into one-dimensional passing, to match the Aaron Rodgers highlights, then Green Bay will taste victory.

I think that turnovers, referee calls and ball spots, perhaps even the lucky  bounce of the ball, but most of all – special teams – will tilt this tight contest towards the Falcons way.

The Packers are more talented, but the Falcons are a lucky team this season and are talented enough to win, especially at home.

But Atlanta does not depend on luck – they are a team of poise and resourcefulness,

And with almost the entire world of prognosticators picking the Packers, the Falcons will show up Saturday night with a chip on their shoulders, feeling disrespected as a number one seed.

Tony Gonzalez finally gets his first post season win.

Like the Arizona Cardinals two years ago and the New Orleans Saints one season ago, I believe that this is simply Atlanta’s time to make it to the Super Bowl, for their second visit in franchise history.

Atlanta 27, Green Bay 24

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Another NFC Rematch: A Lock for the Bears? – 1:00 P.M., Fox

Is any real pregame analysis needed for today’s Bears-Seahawks matchup?

Will the NFC’s  number 2 seed, at home, be defeated by a squad that won it’s weak division with a 7-9 record?

Isn’t this game the lock and guarantee of the weekend?

Whoa!

Isn’t this Jay Cutler’s first playoff game since high school?

Why do they play the game?

Didn’t the underdogs, Seattle Seahawks soundly defeated, if not dominated, the defending Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints?

Does a previous regular season matchup in Chicago, won 23-20 by Seattle by the way, have any bearing on today’s game?

Yes, this 7-9 team is 1-0 versus the Bears this season and more importantly, 1-0 in this post season.

However,  Chicago knows very well of Seattle’s capabilities of pulling off another upset.

Besides, Seattle’s win over Chicago was in week six, in October.

Championships are won in January and in recent seasons – February in the Super Bowl.

The Bears defense knows about and respects running back Marshawn Lynch.

Matt Hasslebeck will early and often see the face of and feel pain from the hits of the beast who wears Bears jersey number 90, a rested Julius Peppers.

Chicago defense dominates and Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz will call a brilliant, high percentage pass/rushing balanced attack game, limiting quarterback Jay Cutler’s possible turnovers.

Seattle has not won a road playoff game in 27 years. Seattle has lost all seven of its road playoff games since winning its first one, 27-20 over Miami on Dec. 31, 1983.

If you like games that are clinics and controlled scrimmages, then this game is for you.

Chicago 30, Seattle 13.

The AFC East Trilogy: The Agony of De-Feet – 4:30 P.M., CBS

I vow to put my best foot forward as I analyze this matchup.

Yes, this game is personal – for both teams and for both lovers of football and  feet.

It is also an opportunity for the NFL speech-police to – “ka-ching!” – assert fines and collect more revenue during post-season before a potential lockout in 2011.

In a different story and development this week – but it relates to this game because of the trash talking primarily from sources of the New York Jets - the NFL has told multiple teams the trash talk and bravado that surfaced this week was expected to stay off the field.

Thus, as a result, players' controversial comments could be taken into account in evaluating any potential disciplinary action that results from illegal hits or other banned physical acts in this weekend's playoff games.

Despite their silly football pregame theatrics, usually predictable, repeated episodes and reruns,  by New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan, and some of his players, the Jets usually get dominated by New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady (who has excellent footwork mechanics by the way) and his “good little foot soldiers” when this matchup is played in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Patriots’ Coach Bill Belichick (known for his hoodie, not for feet – thank God), Brady, and company, could care less about any pregame so-called trash talk a.k.a. b.s. – because the real talking begins on the field at 4:30 Sunday afternoon.

Despite Ryan’s foot-in-mouth disease, the Jets often do more than talk-the-talk, at least on defense.

However, on Sunday, New England’s performance on the field will speak in very loud volumes, as they step on the Jets’ feet on the road to victory.

All the Jets want to do Sunday is win, even if it is only by a foot.

I know, any more Rex Ryan/foot fetish metaphors and references, you will click the dislike button.

However, I can’t outdo Pats’ wide receiver, Wes Welker’s, 11 clichéd references to Ryan’s foot fetish reports.

To pull off a second straight upset, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will need to perform much better than in his previous two trips to Gillette Stadium, where he has one touchdown, seven interceptions, and a 30.4 passer rating

Winning in New England will be a tough task for New York.

Brady, the league MVP this season, has won 28 consecutive regular-season home starts since a loss to the Jets in 2006, and had been 8-0 at home in his postseason career before last season, when the Patriots lost 33-14 in a wild-card matchup against the Ravens.

The Patriots will de-feet the Jets, 30-24.

Oops! Click that dislike button, Jets fans.

Ron Rivera Selected as Panthers New Coach

''When you get into playing you strive for one thing, that's to
be a Super Bowl champion. When you get into coaching, you strive to be a Super
Bowl-winning head coach. That's what my goal is.''

On Tuesday January 11, 2011, Ron Rivera was named the fourth
head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

He is the second Latino to be an NFL head coach, the first being
former Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks coach Tom Flores.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said Rivera’s background as a
player helped him get the job.  Richardson is the only owner that was also a
player in the NFL.

It took a while. Rivera interviewed for eight head coaching jobs
in six years. He said that experience helped when the Panthers
called.

''I'm excited for Ron,'' Chargers coach Norv Turner said. ''He
has aspired to be an NFL head coach and I expect him to do an outstanding
job.

Rivera was a linebacker on the 1985 Chicago Bears, who won Super
Bowl XX.

Rivera was the defensive coordinator for the 2006 Chicago Bears,
who won the National Football Conference championship and competed in Super Bowl
XLI.

He was the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers,
with San Diego ranking tops in the NFL in total defense and pass defense this
season, prior to being named coach of the Panthers.

Rivera learned under coaches who favor aggressive defensive
philosophies, such as Buddy Ryan, Jim Johnson, and Lovie Smith. He used to
utilize the 4-3 defensive scheme, but adopted a 3-4 defense in San
Diego.

At his Carolina Panthers press conference, Rivera said he plans
to use the “attacking style”  4-3 defense to match the talent of the Panthers
along with elements of the 3-4 scheme.

Rivera will get help from G.M. Marty Hurney filling out his
staff.  Chargers tight end coach Rob Chudzinski and Marc Trestman have been
mentioned as possibilities for the offensive coordinator job.

In general, Rivera liked the Panthers roster.  He liked the
offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, and “tight end by
committee.”

He said he wanted to meet Steve Smith soon,  and he was
impressed by rookie wide receivers David Gettis and Brandon LaFell. 

Rivera said figuring out the quarterback situation is a top
priority.

Rivera sounded noncommittal about quarterback Jimmy Clausen.  

''Look forward to meeting him and getting to work,'' Clausen
wrote on Twitter.

It’s an understatement to say that Rivera has his work cut out. 
He was all nonsense, business like at his press conference.

Rivera inherits a 2-14 team that consistently showed
inexperience, questionable personnel decisions, and questionable talent.

It led to a sloppy end of Fox's nine-year run in which he
clashed with management over the team’s direction.

Morrison said Rivera received a four-year deal with no option
year. ESPN reported it's worth $11.2 million, far less than Fox's last deal that
paid him more than $6 million this season.

Rivera talked of playing an aggressive defense and making a
franchise that's never had consecutive winning seasons consistently
good.

Thank You, Coach John Fox

The word expires describes the coaching tenure of John Fox since he was denied a contract extension in 2008.

John Fox has been a player-friendly coach at Carolina, earning the respect and love of almost all professionals who have played for him, as well as opposing coaches and players.

In general, Fox enjoyed good rapport with the fans.

Until his contract extension was denied in 2008, Coach Fox was close and friendly with the owner and the front office personnel.

Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson, preparing for a potential 2011 lockout of players while a new NFL collective-bargaining agreement is being negotiated, specifically sought ways to cut costs.

With 2010 being played without a salary cap, the Panthers used the opportunity to get bad contracts off the books without penalty. They cut veterans or allowed them to walk away in order to put the team in a better position in the future.

This decision and these moves strongly displeased Fox, who has chosen to take the high road publicly in his press conferences and interviews.

He has left the Panthers somewhat better than what he inherited.

Thank you, Coach Fox.

John Fox brought the Carolina Panthers their finest seasons and brightest moments.  Even Fox’s final, losing season has produced positives, mainly leaving the Panthers with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Fox became the highest winning coach in franchise history in his almost nine seasons in Charlotte.

Under him, the Panthers totaled around 78 victories and 73 losses, made three playoff appearances, earned two NFC South titles, reached two NFC Championship games, won one NFC Championship, and played in one Super Bowl.

Fox's tenure at Carolina was inconsistent. The inconsistency is well-documented, with no consecutive winning seasons and only three post season visits.

My main issue is that the franchise's last post season win was almost five years ago (over the Chicago Bears).

Therefore, this coaching change is inevitable.

To quote Coach Fox's famous statement: "It is what it is."

John Fox comes across as a great man and a good coach.  He should have not trouble with obtaining another head coaching job in the NFL.